An ERA of successful interventions
For the last ten years ERA has helped people evolve a package of integrated programmes for overall socio-economic growth. Within this, water emerged as the key factor.
Natural Resource Management
Water for consumption and production has remained the central focus of the programme.
Drinking Water
Low-cost technologies developed and introduced to ensure availability of safe drinking water in adequate quantities. Following experiments, activity was replicated in 50 villages, in association with UNICEF. It gained such wide recognition that ERA has become a household name in its work areas.
Agriculture
Assisted farmers in using surplus water for mini-irrigation, in conserving their farmland, on-farm development activities to raise their productivity and preservation of traditional seeds. This resulted in increased income of 250 farmers from 40 villages. ERA now has a total of 6000 sq mts of land donated by villagers.
Environment Conservation
Protection and conservation of the immediate catchment area of the water sources an integral part of programme. Activity carried out through helping farmers in raising plant nurseries. Facilitating sapling distribution with various village level groups and even government departments significantly contributed to raising environmental awareness and subsequent increase in vegetative cover.
Women's Empowerment
Over 1000 women formed into 48 thrift groups, for better circulation of small savings. Imparting professional skills integral to the drive. Followed by initiation of economic activities suited to local conditions. Economically this led confidence levels rising, and participation in family decision making is no longer limited to seconding dominant male opinion.
Income Generation
A training-cum-production workshop run exclusively by women at Pithoragarh produces woollen and other items and provide employment to over 200 women.
Community Education
Started humbly with paltry sum. Today 12 full scale primary schools are successfully managed by respective local groups. Providing education relevant and in harmony with geography and needs. Empowering them to make their own choices.
Supporting local initiatives
People’s Resource Centre initiated to document and disseminate information for public awareness and encourage voluntary efforts.
Disaster Management
Despite limited resources we contributed to relief work in Uttarkashi during earthquake, in Pati Block during floods of river Ladiya, in Lohaghat block at village Jindi and in Dharchula block at village Sobla during landslides. Relief mostly in form of distribution of blankets and woolens with support from Sruti, New Delhi.
Achievements
On its part, ERA has attained a reasonable level of success in all its programs. The program on natural resources made ERA a household name in its work-pocket. Innovations in drinking water were published in Water Front magazine.
Over the period, the local initiatives promoted by ERA have emerged into autonomous organizations, sustaining and further promoting the programs thus launched.
CRY Trust has nominated ERA as a nodal agency to identify, monitor and evaluate its projects and strengthen local NGOs in Uttrakhand state.
ERA has prime moved formation of a state-level network/ forum of progressive individuals, Social Action Groups and NGOs in Uttrakhand – SAROKAAR Centre for Advocacy Studies. SAROKAAR, working on right based approach, has now evolved into a mass organization.
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